It is amazing how easy it is to omit
reading the instructions when attempting to operate a new electronic device;
digital keyboard; or power tool—which reminds us how easy it is to begin
each day before reading Bible instructions on how to proceed in a right and
Scriptural manner.

The Bible is called: Basic
Instructions Before Leaving Earth—and after our Revelation studies, we are
reminded of how quickly the Lord’s return could happen—we should
read and
heed these basic instructions every day, so we would be assured to
leave the
earth with all those who have been prepared by God to go back with Jesus.
Revelation 22:20“Surely I come quickly. Amen.”

After four Gospels on the life
of Christ—God placing much emphasis on His life by repeating the story four
times—then going to the Acts of the apostles, to explain how first century
believers conducted their life after Jesus ascended to Heaven; and the Book
of Romans that describes the world today—reading like a current news report,
we move on to the apostle’s letter to the Corinthian church—addressing
important faith issues.

The apostle opens—1
Corinthians 1:1“Paul, called to be an
apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother,
2
Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in
Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon
the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours: 3 Grace
be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus
Christ.”

He was
called by God to be an apostle, as no one should force their way into
Christian work, but should only accept such a position when
called by God to
do that work. He was carrying on the ministry of his Lord and
Master—that was God’s will for him. The apostle had previously been an
enemy of Christ, but was now a proclaimer of the
Gospel of Christ.

At his
conversion on the Damascus road, when a brilliant light forced him from his
mount, Acts 9:6“And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou
have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and
it shall be told thee what thou must do.” The apostle now knows, that
he must proclaim the true Gospel message of faith and trust in the Lord
Jesus.

The
“church of God” are
true believers in God—who trust in the atoning sacrifice
His Son made for them on the Cross. Believers are
“sanctified in
Christ Jesus,” when they are trusting in His resurrection power for
everything in life. We are “called to be saints,” so if we are going
through a trial or temptation, we are instructed to:
“call upon the name of
Jesus Christ our Lord.”

The grace and forgiveness that
everyone needs every day, and the divine peace within that we can claim
every minute, are always from: “God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus
Christ”—by our claiming His grace and peace on a regular basis, because the
sacrifice of Atonement Jesus made for us, gives
us that right and privilege.

1 Corinthians 1:4“I thank my God always [continually] on your
behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ; 5 That
in every thing ye are enriched by him, in all utterance [readiness of
speech], and in all knowledge.”

We always maintain a thankful
heart attitude for all that God has given us, and continues to give us on a
daily basis—most especially for the grace
He extends to everyone who
sincerely repents and asks Him to forgive them. That forgiveness of
sins is made possible by the shed Blood of Christ at Calvary. We are
much enriched spiritually, and blessed in every way, by our knowing the Lord
Jesus, and what He was willing to do for us on the Cross.

1 Corinthians 1:6“Even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed
in you [your experience]: 7
So that ye come behind [come short] in no [spiritual] gift; waiting for the
coming [reappearing] of our Lord Jesus Christ: 8 Who
shall also confirm you unto the end [keep you stedfast to the very End],
that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

If we know of the life of
faith Jesus wants us to live, and the attitude of forgiveness He
wants us to
have, then the testimony of Christ is confirmed
by the way we walk, talk,
and forgive people. We should lack no spiritual gift that God wants to
bestow on us—the gift of forgiving; of being the peacemaker; the gift of
encouraging someone going through a trial, and other such gifts.

Every day we await the return
and reappearing of the Lord Jesus—we await, that is, as long as we have a
truly repentant heart; a willingness to correct wrong attitudes God shows
us; and as long as we maintain a desire to stay within the will of God
concerning everything.

It is the power of God that
keeps us in this saved position; and it is the atoning work of His Son that
keeps us protected from the devil’s evil plans to harm or deceive us.
If we keep our faith in the atoning sacrifice of Christ, God keeps us safe
under that protective shield. Believers are those
1 Peter 1:5“Who are
kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed
in the last time.”

Being blameless and
cleansed of sin when Jesus returns for the saints, is possible, but
only possible by
a believing and trusting faith in the perfect Blood sacrifice He made for
us. It is a choice on the individual’s part, but a most
important choice that will ever be made.

The apostle explains how to be
blameless before God—he says be subject to and
submit to Christ,
“as the
church is subject unto Christ” in every thing
Ephesians 5:24.
Ephesians 5:26“That he might sanctify and cleanse it [make
her holy] with the washing of [baptismal] water by the word, 27 That
he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or
wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy [blameless] and
without blemish.”

We have to be
faithful to trust God, as
He is always faithful to keep; to
deliver; to heal; and to supply us when we ask Him in faith.
1
Corinthians 1:9“God is faithful [ever
true to His promises], by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son
Jesus Christ our Lord. 10
Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye
all speak the same thing [cultivate a spirit of harmony], and that there be
no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same
mind and in the same judgment [or thought].”

God, who is always faithful to
do for us what we ask Him in faith to do, has called us into fellowship with
His Son Jesus—to walk by faith in Him, and to obey His instructions on daily
living, that includes every part of the Christian life.
John 15:4“Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself,
except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.”

Bearing spiritual fruit, is
following the instructions of the Lord—staying close
to His words on all
issues—maintaining a forgiving spirit; keeping our trust on His Atonement,
so we can keep a right attitude toward anyone who offends us; and to trust
God in faith for the ability to do our work well [heartily] each day—whether
the boss is watching or not—Colossians 3:24“Knowing that of the Lord ye
shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.”

The apostle goes on to explain
that Christ is
not divided1 Corinthians 1:13, so our
faith in God
cannot be
divided—that we cannot pick and choose what we will
trust God for, and what
we will not trust Him for. We often have differing opinions on
non-faith issues, but when it comes to
basic faith and trust issues, we are
to be in agreement, harmony, and of
one mind.

We cannot say that we will
trust God for finances, but not trust Him for healing; we cannot put
faith in God for daily supplies, and also say we
cannot forgive someone who
wronged us. We are to be of one mind on all such faith
issues—financial trust on God and not saving for future needs; putting our
faith in the shed Blood of Christ for healing, and not accepting medication;
forgiving everyone for every wrong—every time.

1 Corinthians 1:17“For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to
preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should
be made of none effect. 18
For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto
us which are saved it is the power of God.”

The apostle was in full
agreement on the importance of baptism, but mentions it here due to some
contentions, disputes, and disagreements among the members—saying by whom,
and in whose name they had been baptized—which was
not the issue, but only
that they were baptized in the Name of
Jesus Christ. The apostle’s
duty was “to preach the gospel”—that
is what Jesus sent him to do.

When the Lord met him on the
Damascus road, and the apostle asked Jesus what he should do, the Lord said
Acts 9:6“You will be told what you are to do,” which was to
1 Corinthians
1:17“Proclaim the Good News; and not in merely wise words—lest the Cross of
Christ should be deprived of its power.”

The purpose of his being sent,
was to give God’s Truth to all those who would listen, and learn, and accept
that divine plan of life—leading to eternal life. The apostle recounts
his conversion before King Agrippa. He tells the king that
Jesus sent
him Acts 26:18“To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light,
and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of
sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in
me.”

Basic Bible instructions from
the holy Scriptures should begin our day, every day—asking God to
open our
heart to His Truth; being willing to believe
that Jesus gave His life on the
Cross, so that we could have a
new life of faith—a life that
wants to
forgive; desires to love; and
longs to trust God by the power of His Spirit.
Basic Bible instructions—don’t leave home without it!